Bohemians edge past Buccaneers with penalty kicks

Buccaneers 8 UL Bohemians 9, Dubarry Park

Aidan McNulty kicked two penalties to edge UL Bohemians past Buccaneers in a poor quality encounter at Dubarry Park.

The 20-year-old McNulty was sprung from the replacements bench and the switch proved an inspired one by coach Ian Costello as the youngster kicked the decisive points for Bohs.

Buccs hit the front in the 28th minute when they tapped a free-kick. Alan Gaughan jinked forward before putting his centre partner Alex Hayman over for an unconverted try.

Fergal Lawler, the Bohs number 10, missed two penalty kicks as the Pirates remained 5-0 ahead for the break.

With both teams boasting pacy back-lines and a style of play that would lend to an open game, it was disappointing to see a lack of creativity and vision at both ends of the pitch.

Gaughan landed a penalty, early in the second half, to nudge the hosts 8-0 ahead.

But the pedestrian play continued as neither the intensity or the tempo was increased. Poor decisions and basic errors were made as the time ticked on.

However, a successful Lawler penalty and two more kicks from the nerveless McNulty, after Buccs flanker Kolo Kiripati was sin-binned, saw Bohs take the verdict.

Penalised for taking a player out in the lineout, Kiripati was yellow carded at a crucial stage.

UL took full advantage to hit the front for the first time and they clung on at the death to move up to sixth in the Division One table.